Box handling apparatus



Aug. 8,1950 i. ALBERTOLI 2,517,956

BOX HANDLING APPARATUS Filed March 25, 1946 2 Sheets-Shee'cl 1 3S INVENTOR .10H/v ALBER TOL BY Qa/am A7' TORNEV Aug. 8, 1950 J. ALBERTOLI Box HANDLING APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 25, 1946 INVENTOR JOHN v ALBERTOL/ BY E/a/ww ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 8, 1950 Ulu-ITEDA STATES;

Thisinvention relates to improvements in apparatus for handlingboxes containing produce. An object of my invention isy to provide improved box handling apparatus embodying novel means. whereby a plurality of stacked boxes may be received from a loadingvehicle and carried to a position Where their contentsare automatically dumped onto an endless conveyor or into a rel ceptacle.

Another object. of my invention is to provide l' improved boxhandling `apparatus which ernbodies a construction capable of automatically handling a number of stacked boxes or crates containing agricultural produce, whereby the usual manual handling of the boxes in the vmanner ordinarily required intransferring the produce from the boxes or crates preparatory to the subsequent treatment thereof is entirely elimi-` nated.

Other and further objects of my invention will Y be pointed out hereinafter, or'will be indicated in the appended claims, or will be obvious to one skilled in the art upon an understanding ofthe present disclosure. For the purpose of this application, I have elected to showI herein certain forms and details of apparatus for handlingboxes representative of my invention; it is to be under.- stood, however, that the Aembodiment of my in.- vention herein shown and described is for ythe purpose of illustration only, and that therefore it is not to be regarded as exhaustive of the variations of the invention.

Inthe accompanying drawings:

Fig'. l is a side elevation of apparatus forhandling boxes, illustrating the principles of'my in'- vfi.

vention; and

' Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the same.

Referring: to the drawings the numeral I designates a supporting structure on which' is. journaled a drive shaft 2. One endofv thershaft is 1;

"9 claims. (onere-im the'ther painextendsf the'opposite direction.

Each' pair/off Isupportingmembers I when in a certain" horizontal position isA adapted to support a'v movable 'platform f8" which is placed thereon preparatory to the transfer thereto( of anumber of stacked boxes A containing vproduce or the like.

' 'Interposedfbetween androtatably supported by the opposite sides ofthe frame 6' are a number of spaced elongated rollers' 9"'wh'ich arearranged in a manner lwhereby a set of several of them are positioned'in alignment andare disposed at one sidefofthe shaft 2', 'while a set of several others `are similarly positioned' at the oppositeside of 'the said' shaft. The rollers'extendftransversely across the interior of the frame 6," andV one vs'et thereof' projectsjbeyond-or above the upper edges 'df the' 4Sides Ofthrame While thebthel" Set` 'of said rollers projects beyondfY or b elw the lower edgesfof the 'frames sides, as cearly shown `in Fig'."I`."Thus' when the frame is horizontally .positioned'the' rollersffof lone yset' will extend abovev thegupp'er edges ofthe frame and will be capable 'of movably supporting a number of pro- 4duceV Containing boxes A.A

Journale'd in the'opposite sidesv of the frame 6 and'arranged at yopposite ends oi' the latter are transver'sel'yI disposed shafts I0 and `I I,`the latter bein'g'f'operatively connected by a sprocket,v I2 and aI chain drive |13 to a 'reduction gear assembly o'f an el'ectricmtor IBL" Secured tothe shafts secured to a large sprocket wheel 3-whichis con nected by a chain drivel to thegear reduction assembly of an electric motor.' 5-, the'operation'of which is controlled inthe usual mannerby -suiitable switch meanseitherof. the automatic or hand operated type. r

Secured to the drive shaft 2:'andrrot'atablethere*- with is a substantiallyrectangular :open frame" 6 having four rigid outwardly disposed supporting members 1- secured to its opposite sides` at points substantially midway between'the ends the latter. The supporting members f'I- are'arrange'd at-right angles with respect tothe sides` 'of'the frame B, and one pair thereof extends inonejdil rection from" poi-nts adjacent'thefdriveshaft' and IIT and"|l "are a: 'plurality of" sprocket wheels Ie :which'serve to operatively support a number of spaced :endless chains I'I'Qthelatter extending over an'dinengagement with the rollers 5. Thefchains I'I' areslowly actuated.rv "ata uniformA speed in a clockwise direction'bythemotor I5; and when'the "frame 6 vis-positioned;'horizontally or in an'vin- 'clinedf'positiontheuppermost set of' rollers il will be arranged beneath 'the vzelfiain'sand i'n positions 'where the latter rare prevented from sagging or becoming disengaged from certain of the boxes then supported on the frame.

Rotatably supported at the opposite ends of the frame 6 Iare transverse rollers I8 which are respectively arranged in alignment with the set of rollers Blocated nearest thereto. The end rollers l'I8 are'adapted to facilitate the discharge of the produce boxes A from the frame when the latter have been conveyed the chains I1 to positions where theyare no longer supported thereon.

" yPreparatory to the loading operation the motor 5 is operated until the frame 6 and the supporting members 1r are in vertical and horizontal posi;-

tions respectively.r A plurality of rows of stacked their upper sides, are deposited by an elevator truck or other means onto a platform 8 previously placed by an operator on the two supporting members 'I then located to the left of the shaft 2. The innermost vertical row of boxes is shoved backwardly until the boxes thereof engage with the chains I1 which then extend alongside a vertically disposed set of rollers 9. After additional rows of boxes are deposited on the platform 8 one behind the other, the dumping or transfer operation may be commenced. The operation of the electric motor 5 through the closing of the control switch (not shown) connected in its electrical circuit, causes the shaft 2, the frame 8, the supporting members l, and the produce containing boxes A to be turned in a clockwise direction. As the pair of supporting members 'I on which the platform 8 and the stacked boxes are supported approach a vertical position, the weight of the boxesis transferred to the frameA 6, and particularly to the forward ends of the upper nights of the chains Il then engaging with the underlying set of rollers 9. By the time the supporting member 1 has reached a vertical upstanding position, the boxes will have been turned through an angle of ninety degrees to positions where their open tops face forwardly and they rest on their then lower sides. At this point the operation of the motor 5 is discontinued and the operation of `the motor `I5 commenced. Control switches (not shown)v may: be provided for automatically or manuallv controlling the timely operation of the motor- I5 and discontinuing the operation of the motor 5. As the chains I'I are actuated in a clockwise direction by the motor l5 the boxes areconveyed forwardly toward the right hand or rear end of the frame 6. One of two transverse rollers I9 carried at the outer ends of two arms 2G which are pivotally supported on a supporting member 1, as at 2|, exerts a forward pressure, through the force of gravity, on the upper end of the platform B, thereby causing the latter to follow the boxes in a forward direction without becoming disengaged from the rear row of said boxes The-lower end of the platform 8 being supported on the chains I1 willl be conveyed forwardly along nwith the boxes. Stop members 22 projecting from the supporting members 1 prevent the arms 2!) and rollers I9 from falling rearwardly as the frame and the said members are rotated. While some of the produce contained in the upper exposed row of 'boxes A will fall therefrom as the said boxes are turned on their sides, there will not be any particular loss since the lower row of boxes will intercept and carry forwardly such ofthe produce that does not fall below -the frame, and as to the latter the operator can readily recover the same.

As the boxes 'are conveyed forwardly, the upper forward row eng-ages with a slowly moving endless belt 23 which extends over end rollers 24 that are journaled. in spring-pressed bearings carried at the ends-of a frame v2.5. The frame 25 is pivotally suspendedfas at 26 from a supporting structure 2l,- and its weight resting on the upper horizontal row of boxes through the belt 23 serves to maintain the forwardly disposed rows of boxes in positions where they continue to engage one with another. The forward rows of boxes are held in their `normal relative formation while they are tipped downwardly and forwardly to discharge their contents onto an endless belt conveyor 28. As the boxes are conveyed forwardly the lower forward row Athereof engages with the rides over an end roller I 8. which supports the forward rows of said boxes as they approach the end of their forward movement and are tipped to dumping positions. The counterclockwise movement of the belt 23 carries the forward upper rows of boxes forwardly and downwardly for a short distance and until the upper forward row becomes disengaged from said belt, and at this point an endless chain conveyor 29, consisting of four widely spaced endless chains, positioned -beneath the belt 23 and forwardly of the frame I5, intercepts the falling empty boxes and conveys them to a discharge station` The endless conveyor chains 2S carry spaced lugs 30 which engage with the lower rear edges of the boxes and hold them on the conyeyor. A plate 3l arranged forwardly of the rear end of the frame t is adapted to intercept the lower forward row of boxes as it falls from the roller I8, thereby making it possible for the chain conveyor 29 to efciently operate in the manner intended. u

The endlessbelt 23 is connected through. suitable reduction gears anda sprocket and chain yarrangement, to an electric motor 32, and the operation of the said belt is continuous and at a slow speed. A slotted stop link 33 is arrangedto prevent the pivotal movement of the frame 25 beyond certain limits. p

Each succeeding row of boxes A is carried forwardly and emptied in the manner described.' The platform 8, when the last vertical row of boxes has been discharged from the frame ii, is removed by an operator for subsequent use in the manner heretofore described.

It is to be understood that my invention may embody a constructionn in which a greater or less number of units may be employed to handle the produce containingboxes7 but in principle each is substantially the same as the embodiment herein shown and described. l

What I claim is:

l. In apparatus for handling boxes'or the like, an elongated* frame mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis, duplex supporting structures secured to and extending in Aopposite directions from the central, portionof the frame, each of said supporting structures when in a horizontal position being positioned vfor initially receiving a number of stacked containers,` a combined support and conveyor carried by thel frame and positioned at substantially right angles to" the supporting structures, the said combinedl support and conveyor being arranged to receive the stacked containers transferred from either of the supporting structures when the frame is rotated through a'partial revolution, andmeans for actuating the conveyor to convey the containers to a position for dumping.

2. In apparatus for handling boxes or the like, an elongated frame mounted for rotation about a horizontal'axis, duplex' supporting structures arranged at substantially right angles to the frame and secured to and extending in opposite directions from the central portion o'f the frame,r each of said supporting structures when in a horizontal position being positioned'for'initially receiving and supporting a number of stacked boxes, a conveyor carried byA and positioned in substantially parallel relation to the frame and arranged to receive the stacked boxes when the frame has rotated througha predetermined angle, means for rotating the frame, and means for actuating the conveyor, whereby the stacked boxes may be conveyed to positions for discharging the contents thereof. f l

3. In apparatus for handling boxes or thejlike, a frafm? m9111112@ 91.' T(J'Gtion about a horizontal axis, having an endless conveyor carried thereon, a supporting structure carried by the frame and when horizontally positioned being arranged for initially receiving and supporting a number of stacked boxes or the like, the conveyor and the supporting structure being positioned at substantially right angles to each other, and the conveyor being arranged to receive the stacked boxes from the supporting structure when the frame is rotated substantially through ninety degrees, means for rotating the frame, means carried on the supporting structure for applying a forward pressure on the boxes as they are being conveyed by the conveyor, whereby the boxes are maintained in stacked positions and means for actuating the conveyor, whereby the stacked boxes may be carried to dumping-positions.

4. In apparatus for handling boxes or the like, an elongated frame pivotally mounted at its central part for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis, an endless conveyor carried by the frame and arranged for longitudinal movement with respect thereto, a rigid supporting structure carried by and arranged at substantially right angles to the frame for initially receiving and supporting a number of stacked boxes having their tops open and facing upwardly, the said supporting structure and conveyor being relatively arranged so that when the frame is rotated substantially through ninety degrees the Iboxes will be tipped on their sides and transferred from the supporting structure to the endless conveyor, means for actuating the conveyor whereby the boxes are conveyed in a direction in which their top open ends face the direction of their movement, means for exerting a continued pressure on the lboxes in a direction of their movement and means arranged to engage with certain boxes of the stack as they approach an end of the frame, whereby the relative formation of certain of the boxes may be susbtantially maintained while the contents thereof is discharged therefrom.

5. In apparatus for handling boxes or the like, an elongated frame pivotally mounted at its central part for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis, means for rotating the frame, an endless conveyor carried .by the frame and arranged for longitudinal movement with respect thereto, duplex supporting structures carried by the frame and arranged at right angles to the frame and at angles of substantially one hundred and eighty degrees from each other, either of the supporting structures when in a horizontal position being positioned for initially receiving and supporting a number of stacked boxes or the like with their tops open and facing rupwardly, the said supporting structures and conveyor being relatively arranged so that when the frame is rotated substantially through ninety degrees the boxes loaded on a supporting structure will =be tipped on their sides and transferred from the supporting structure to the endless conveyor, and means for actuating the conveyor whereby the boxes are conveyed in a direction in which their top open ends face the direction of their movement, whereby the boxes may be conveyed to positions where their contents are discharged therefrom.

6. In apparatus for handling boxes or the like, a frame mounted for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis and having a duplex supporting structure arranged at substantially right angles to the frame for initially receiving and supporting a number of stacked boxes having their top ends open, means on the frame for receiving the stacked boxes as they are tipped on their sides and transferred from the duplex supporting structure when the frame is partially rotated, means on the frame for conveying the boxes in stacked formation to an end of the frame, and means for intercepting the boxes and holding them in stacked formation While they are tipped to dumping positions.

7. In apparatus for handling boxes or the like, a rotatably mounted frame, duplex supports carried by the frame and arranged to be successively brought to a position for initially receivingand supporting a plurality of stacked boxes as the frame is rotated through a complete revolution, and combined receiving 'and conveying means mounted on the frame and arranged to receive the boxes in stacked formation from the support when the frame is partially rotated the said conveyor means being positioned at substantially right angles to the duplex supports.

8. In apparatus for handling boxes or the like, a rotatably mounted frame, a rigid duplex supporting structure carried by and positioned at right ang-les to the frame for initially receiving and supporting a plurality of stacked boxes having their top ends open, conveyor means positioned in substantially parallel relation to and carried by the frame and arranged to receive the stackedl boxes as they are discharged from the supporting structure when the frame is partially rotated, means for rotating the frame, means for actuating the conveyor means, whereby the boxes may be conveyed to a discharge position, means arranged to intercept the boxes as they reach the discharge position, the said intercepting means being capable of holding the boxes in stacked relationship while the contents thereof is dis'- charged therefrom, means for receiving the discharged contents from the boxes, and conveyor means for intercepting and conveying the boxes away after the contents are discharged therefrom.

9. In apparatus for handling boxes or the like, a rotatably mounted frame arranged for rotation about a horizontal axis, means for rotating the frame, a rigid duplex support carried by and positioned at substantially right angles to the frame for initially receiving and supporting a plurality of stacked boxes having their top ends open, conveyor means carried by the frame and arranged to receive the stacked boxes as they are discharged from the duplex support when the frame is partially rotated, the said conveyor being arranged to maintain the -boxes in stacked formation while they are conveyed to a discharge position, and means positioned to intercept the boxes and assist in tilting the boxes while in stacked formation to positions where their contents are discharged therefrom.

JOHN ALBERTOLI.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 591,712 Worth Oct. 12, 1897 1,907,456 Stevenson May 9, 1933 1,970,749 Heichert Aug. 21, 1934 2,397,129 Davis Mar. 26, 1946 ;2,410,515 McMichael -.-u--..w Nov. 5, 1946 

